Gerontology is the study of the biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of the aging process. It includes the study of changes in adults as they age, the ways that society changes with an aging population, and the ways we apply this information to programs and policies for older adults.

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Meet the Faculty in Alfred University’s Gerontology Program

Dr. Robert Maiden(Program Director, Professor of Psychology): Dr. Maiden has been teaching at AU since 1982. His courses include Adult Development & Aging, Health Psychology, Adulthood in Film, Public Policy & Aging, and Communication & Counseling Skills.
https://alfred.edu/academics/faculty-staff/profiles/maiden-robert-j.cfm

Dr. Danielle Gagne
(Associate Professor, Psychology): Her courses include Adult Development & Aging, The Psychology of Death and Dying, Ageism, and Cognition & Aging.
https://alfred.edu/academics/faculty-staff/profiles/gagne-danielle.cfm

Dr. Karen Porter
(Professor, Sociology): Her courses examine aging from a societal perspective, including available services and public policy.
https://alfred.edu/academics/faculty-staff/profiles/porter-karen-l.cfm

Dr. Heather Zimbler-DiLorenzo
(Assistant Professor, Biology): Her course, the Physiology of Aging, helps students understand the interactions between biological influences and the aging process.
https://alfred.edu/academics/faculty-staff/profiles/zimbler-delorenzo-heather.cfm

Are the communities in Western New York meeting the mental health needs of our elderly?

The purpose of our current research is to examine whether there has been an increase in the willingness of rural older Americans to use mental health services compared to previous data, whether the older adults in our community are getting access to needed mental health services, and how mental health services can be improved to meet the needs of the rural elderly.

If you are interested, there are several ways to participate in this survey.:

Early bird: For those who respond by October 1, 2018

Regular: For those who respond between October 2, 2018 and May 1, 2019.

Our world population is aging, with the number of individuals over the age of 60 projected to double by 2050. In America, 1 out of every 5 people will be over age 65.

This makes gerontology, or the study of aging, one of the fastest growing job markets. As the “Baby Boom” generation retires, there will be an increased demand for professionals in a variety of fields who understand issues related to the aging process.

The Gerontology Program provides a comprehensive and multidisciplinary curriculum in adult development and aging that prepares undergraduates for advanced studies or a career in aging.

Both the major and minor in gerontology provide for the application of classroom knowledge to real-life situations through a supervised internship. Participating faculty members are drawn from the Psychology, Biology, Sociology and Political Science divisions.